Mana

Like many Filipino-Americans, my Filipino identity has been lost and Western culture has been engrained. Assimilate. English only. Forks and knives. Christianity. Desire for lighter skin. “Acting white” ...whatever that meant. What does it even mean to be “Filipino?” This part of my identity was completely lost in the midst of growing up as a first generation American.

In August of 2014, I began the quest for my lost identity and joined a Filipino folk arts group. Through this group, I’ve learned history, music and dance of the Philippines.

In April of 2015, our group was invited to represent the Philippines for the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.

We endured several months of brutal preparation for the Merrie Monarch. However, during this preparation process, I gained so much knowledge about my own culture. I was so proud to be part of the first ever Filipino group to perform in the 52 year history of the Merrie Monarch Festival.

Through this transformative experience, I not only learned more about my own culture, but I also learned about where Filipino and Hawaiian culture intersect. We are not too different from our cousins, the Hawaiians. While I was visiting, the Hawaiians really took care of me and treated me like one of their own. Mahalo and maraming salamat to our Hawaiian brothers and sisters.